Star Roga Career Spotlight
Read more about Star Roga's career journey as a Medical Laboratory Technologist and what makes the laboratory at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre a fantastic place to work!
What area of health care do you work in? Where do you work?
I work in the diagnostic laboratory field within health care.
I’m currently employed as a Licensed Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) at Yorkton Regional Health Centre. Our lab supports nearly every department in the hospital, playing a vital role in patient diagnosis and treatment.
What are you responsible for as a Medical Laboratory Technologist?
As an MLT, I rotate through various departments, including chemistry, hematology, transfusion medicine, and specimen reception. A typical day involves preparing and analyzing patient samples, performing quality control checks, operating and troubleshooting lab equipment, and verifying results before they’re released to physicians.
I also assist with urgent and STAT testing, especially during on-call or night shifts. My day is a balance of routine testing and critical thinking, especially when interpreting unusual or urgent results.
How is your work-life balance as an MLT?
The work-life balance as an MLT can be demanding at times, especially with shift work, weekends, and on-call rotations. As an MLT, there is a lot of variety in the tasks and a strong sense of purpose which helps balance the intensity of the workload.
Have you always wanted to be an MLT? Tell us more about your career path!
Yes, I’ve been passionate about laboratory work for many years. I began my career as a Medical Laboratory Technologist in the Philippines, where I worked for over two years. I then continued in the same profession in Saudi Arabia for about five years, gaining valuable experience in various lab departments.
When I moved to Canada, I was initially hesitant to pursue my chosen career again, as the certification process through Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) seemed overwhelming. However, I stayed committed, completed the necessary requirements, and was proud to pass the national certification exam. When I started working in February 2025, I held a Provisional Temporary License and have since obtained my Full Practicing License as an MLT.
It’s been a challenging but incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m grateful to continue working in a field that I’m passionate about—now with even more opportunities for growth and contribution to patient care.
Are there opportunities to further your career as an MLT?
Yes, there are many opportunities for career growth.
MLTs can specialize in areas like microbiology, transfusion science, or cytology. With additional education and experience, it is also possible to move into supervisory roles, quality assurance, laboratory management, or even teaching. Some choose to continue into Medical Laboratory Science or other healthcare-related degrees as well.
What makes Yorkton Regional Health Centre a great place to work?
I appreciate the supportive team atmosphere at the Yorkton Regional Health Centre and the opportunity to work within multiple disciplines.
Being in a smaller center means you’re more hands-on and involved in a wide variety of cases, which really helps build your skills. The staff here are friendly, experienced and always willing to help, making it a great environment to learn and grow as an MLT.
Do you have any advice for students or new graduates looking to pursue a career as an MLT? Are there specialty areas that are in more demand than others?
My advice is to get hands-on experience early—whether as a lab assistant, through practicums, or volunteering. Understanding the pace and environment of the lab will help you succeed in your training. Also, be open to learning all departments — this flexibility is valuable.
Transfusion medicine and microbiology are often in high demand, especially in rural or smaller centers, so those looking to stand out might consider extra training within those specialties.
What is the number one thing you love about being an MLT?
The best part of being an MLT is knowing that my work has a direct impact on patient care, even if I don’t see the patients myself. I also enjoy the balance between technical skill and analytical thinking.
Every sample tells a story, and it is rewarding to know that the results I produce help guide critical medical decisions.
